Fairfield Prep's David Gerics beats the tag at second as Amity's Josh Sabitsky bobbles the ball, during baseball action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday April 25, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Fairfield Prep's Chris Sutay dives back to first as Amity's Justin Ashworth tries to make the tag, during baseball action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday April 25, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Fairfield Prep's Kevin Stone gets tagged out at first by Amity's Justin Ashworth, during baseball action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday April 25, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Fairfield Prep's David Gerics takes off for second in a steal attemptl, during baseball action against Amtiy at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday April 25, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Fairfield Prep's Dean Lockery tries to get a hold of an Amity grounder that he dropped, during baseball action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday April 25, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

FAIRFIELD -- For four innings Thursday afternoon, Fairfield Prep had been begging -- screaming -- for a two-out hit in its game against Amity, ranked No. 2 in the state.

The Jesuits had left runners in scoring position each of the first four innings, only for Spartans' ace Mike Concato to find a way to pitch out of trouble unscathed.

Fittingly enough, the game's only run came without the virtue of a base hit.

In the bottom of the fifth, Fairfield Prep's Chris Collins scored from third on an errant pickoff attempt and the Jesuits hung on to win 1-0 behind David Gerics' four-hit shutout.

"We didn't put our hits together, but we were able to scratch out a run and that's what counts," Collins said.

Collins reached on an error to start the fifth. He then stole second -- with his slide kicking away the throw from Amity (9-2) catcher Chris Cimmino.

In the first inning, Concato picked off Collins -- as well as another Jesuit runner in the fourth -- and threw over numerous times before the fifth-inning stolen base.

"I saw a bunch of moves from him," Collins said. "I definitely had a good read on him. He probably tried to pick me off seven times."

Collins moved to third on Shawn Blake's groundout to first and scored when Concato's pickoff attempt at third base sailed into foul territory.

Given a 1-0 lead, Gerics seemed to get better as the game wore on. Three of the senior righty's five strikeouts came in the sixth and seventh innings.

"Once I was confident with my fastball, I was able to get my curveball over, too," Gerics said. "Once that confidence is built up, it feels like your fastball is that much faster. Once that's in control you can work both sides of the plate. When your fielders are making all the plays, you feel like you can't go wrong."

Amity's best chance came in the fifth when Keith Klebart missed a home run to left by a few feet, settling instead for a two-out double despite a diving attempt at the fence by Prep's Chris Sutay. Gerics bounced back to strike out Jake Russo to strand Klebart at second.

The loss ended the Spartans' six-game winning streak.

"(Gerics) was awesome, but we have to at least swing at more strikes," Amity coach Sal Coppola said. "When a pitcher's in a groove like that -- and he's good -- you can't help him. You can't give him the first strike."

Both of Amity's losses have come by one run.

Fairfield Prep (9-3), which moved into the state poll this week at No. 10, responded from a loss to Law on Wednesday. The Jesuits' improved attitude from the opening pitch on Thursday impressed coach Rudy Mauritz.

"When you put pressure on, things can break in your favor," he said "That's what happened to us today."